Unconventional Transport Properties of Reduced Tungsten Oxide WO2.9

Abstract

The temperature and magnetic field dependence of resistivity in WO2.9 was investigated. The variation of resistivity with temperature displayed unusual features, such as a broad maximum around 230 K and a logarithmic increase of resistivity below 16 K. In the temperature range 16–230 K, we observed metallic-like behavior with a positive temperature coefficient. The combined analysis of resistivity and magnetoresistance (MR) data shows that these unusual transport properties of WO2.9 can be understood by considering the (bi)polaronic nature of charge carriers. In contrast to magnetization data, superconducting transition below Tc = 80 K was not detected in resistivity measurements, indicating that the superconductivity is localized in small regions that do not percolate. We found a strong increase in positive MR below 80 K. This effect is similar to that observed in underdoped cuprates, where the substantial increase of MR is attributed to superconducting fluctuations in small clusters. Therefore, the temperature dependence of MR indicates the presence of non-percolating superconducting clusters in WO2.9 below 80 K in agreement with magnetization data.